2 Corinthians 10.1-18; Paul Defends His Ministry

It’s really hard not to brag. A surgeon works hard studying and training in order to hone her skills. Athletes discipline themselves and practice hard in order to receive the trophies and medals. Even humanitarians and philanthropists like to display their letters of distinction and awards for the work they have done and the money they have given. All of us brag in one way or another by the clothes we wear, the car we drive, the house in which we live and the small comments we make in conversation.

Paul even bragged. He was proud of his intellect and bragged about his authority. Later on in his letter he even brags about the hardships that he endured in order to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who had not heard it (2 Corinthians 11:21-29). To do things, though, just so that we can brag isn’t what life is all about.

When Paul defends his ministry before the Corinthians, he makes two good points about bragging. First he tells his readers (including us) that comparing ourselves with one another does not show good sense. Measuring ourselves against each other blinds us to each other’s needs. The other point that Paul makes is that as disciples of Jesus Christ, we do not live to acquire the praises of others. Our goal is to receive the commendation of the Lord (vs. 18). At the end of our lives we want to be able to hear God’s words, “Well done my good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).

2 Corinthians 10:1-18

I myself, Paul, appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!— I ask that when I am present I need not show boldness by daring to oppose those who think we are acting according to human standards. Indeed, we live as human beings, but we do not wage war according to human standards; for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ. We are ready to punish every disobedience when your obedience is complete.

Look at what is before your eyes. If you are confident that you belong to Christ, remind yourself of this, that just as you belong to Christ, so also do we. Now, even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it. I do not want to seem as though I am trying to frighten you with my letters. For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.” Let such people understand that what we say by letter when absent, we will also do when present.

We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another, and compare themselves with one another, they do not show good sense. We, however, will not boast beyond limits, but will keep within the field that God has assigned to us, to reach out even as far as you. For we were not overstepping our limits when we reached you; we were the first to come all the way to you with the good news of Christ. We do not boast beyond limits, that is, in the labors of others; but our hope is that, as your faith increases, our sphere of action among you may be greatly enlarged, so that we may proclaim the good news in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in someone else’s sphere of action. “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” For it is not those who commend themselves that are approved, but those whom the Lord commends.